Kenya Airways appoints Habil Waswani as acting CEO as Kamal Exits
Kenya Airways has appointed its Company Secretary and Director of Legal Services, Habil Waswani, as Acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer as the national carrier undergoes another leadership transition.
Waswani will take over the role effective September 15, 2026, replacing Capt. George Kamal, who has resigned as acting Group MD and CEO for personal reasons.
Kamal will remain with the airline for a 30-day transitional period before formally exiting on September 30, 2026, according to a notice issued by Kenya Airways board chairman Kiprono Kittony on Tuesday.
Kamal had initially joined the airline’s executive leadership as Chief Operating Officer before taking over as acting CEO in December 2025. During his tenure, he led the airline through an executive leadership transition and oversaw implementation of its ongoing turnaround strategy.
The board thanked Kamal for his service, citing his experience in aviation and his role in stabilising the airline’s operations.
Waswani, who has been with Kenya Airways for more than five years, will serve in the position on an interim basis as the airline begins the process of recruiting a substantive CEO.
He brings more than 24 years of experience in corporate and commercial law, having handled aviation and airline-related legal matters as well as commercial and corporate law.
The lawyer holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi, a diploma in law from the Kenya School of Law and is a Certified Public Secretary. He also holds a Global Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the United States International University in collaboration with Columbia Business School.
Waswani has been recognised in the Legal 500 GC Powerlist East Africa since 2024 and is a member of the Law Society of Kenya, the Institute of Certified Secretaries of Kenya and the Institute of Directors of Kenya.
The board said the appointment comes as KQ continues to pursue a turnaround strategy focused on improving operational reliability, returning to sustainable positive financial performance and achieving its growth ambitions.
The board said the recruitment of a substantive holder of the position is expected to be completed in the near term.
